Discernment is key to entertaining media instead of letting it entertain us.

Some books prove (after reading the back cover and the basic synopsis) they will not be of much value to me. You can just tell. Especially some Christian books. There was one I read portions of recently that basically said doubt is a good thing and we shouldn't really seek answers to our theological questions. After I read the introduction, I could see I would disagree so much with the book, and it would be so blatantly heretical that it just wouldn't be worth my time. 

Other books fall in the same category as these kind of books. But the thing is, the book becomes really popular. Maybe a famous person writes it, or the topic is so relevant to our culture that the majority of evangelicals are reading it. This book, although not very valuable in content, and although probably not beneficial to be read, becomes a necessary read, in my opinion, because of its popularity. (I'll refrain from listing examples, although that would be fun.) It's important to know the message of media other people find valuable. 

One caveat on this. If the book is so graphic it gives you an opportunity to sin in some sort of way, then steer clear. Being obedient to the Spirit by not sinning is more important than being culturally savvy.

Jacob